Sauli Niinisto won 63 per cent of the votes, compared to 37 per cent for his rival, Greens candidate Pekka Haavisto, official results showed with 100 per cent of ballots counted.

He will replace Tarja Halonen, one of Finland's most popular heads of state, who has served the maximum two six-year terms.

Sauli Niinisto is a lawyer. During various years, he worked as the Justice Minister, Finance Minister and Speaker of the Parliament.